Paid Family Leave

in Washington State

WASHINGTON'S NEW plan for paid family leave

...IN 57 SECONDS

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Paid family leave is a benefit provided to employees who must or should take medically recommended time off work to care for a newborn, treat or recover from a serious illness, or care for a family member.

While more than 180 countries already require paid maternity leave, only four states and the District of Columbia provide paid family leave in the United States.

Under a new bipartisan plan Washington will be the fifth state to provide this important benefit to working people under legislation developed by a broad array of stakeholders, including employers and labor advocates.

What's the plan?

Benefit available to all full-time employees beginning in 2020.

Up to 12 weeks of paid leave for the birth of a child, to recover from a serious medical condition or to care for a family member with an annual total of 16 weeks.

Employee would receive 90% of half the state's average weekly wage and 50% of wages up to a maximum of $1,000 per week.

Premiums paid by employee payroll deduction make up 63% of overall funding.

Employer contributions make up 37% of program funding.

Provides a uniform statewide system that follows employees when they change jobs or move locations.

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Broad support for paid family leave

"Not only would a paid leave program increase labor force participation rates by encouraging women to stay in the labor force when pregnant as opposed to dropping out entirely, it’s also been shown that children fare much better when mothers and fathers have access to paid parental leave."